N'golo Kante to join Al-Hilal for Club World Cup

N'golo Kante is on the verge of joining Al-Hilal on a short-term loan from Saudi Pro League rivals Al-Ittihad.

Should a deal be completed, Kante would be allowed to compete in the Club World Cup before his new side before re-joining Al-Ittihad ahead of next season.

News of a potential switch was broken by David Ornstein on X on Tuesday afternoon.

Ornstein's post reads: "Al-Hilal in talks to sign N’Golo Kante from Al-Ittihad for FIFA Club World Cup. Dialogue over 34yo midfielder moving from Al-Hilal to Al-Ittihad on short-term loan ahead of competition.

"No agreement so far but [there is] optimism that a deal can happen."

Both Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad are owned Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund with Kante seen to be key in raising the profile of Al-Hilal's participation in the inaugural Club World Cup.

Kante - who is a World Cup winner with France - has made 79 appearances for Al-Ittihad since he departed Chelsea on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.

The 34-year-old captured a domestic double this season after lifting the Saudi Pro League and King's Cup titles.

Al-Hilal will begin their Club World Cup campaign against current tournament favourites Real Madrid before games against RB Salzburg and Pachuca round-off their group stage.

Former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will lead the line for the Saudi outfit and the Serbian enjoyed a fine season, netting 19 goals in just 21 starts in the league.

He will be joined by Ruben Neves, Malcom, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Joao Cancelo and Kalidou Koulibaly in a team littered with ex-European football stars.